Starring Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff and Vaani Kapoor in lead roles, Yash Raj Films’ War is one of the most awaited movies of 2019. The trailer and songs of the film have already cast their spell on the audience and now everyone is looking forward to its grand release on 2nd October. Looking at the massive pre-release booking, trade pundits are predicting an earth-shattering opening for the action entertainer.
While War is still a couple of hours away from its theatrical release worldwide, news has emerged that filmmaker Siddharth Anand and the makers at Yash Raj Films already have plans to develop the film into a franchise.
A source in the know informs a premier entertainment portal that there is a huge scope to take the story forward and turn War into a franchise. “Hrithik and Tiger’s characters have been written to move forward into a franchise. And their chemistry onscreen is so kinetic that after seeing the end product producer Aditya Chopra is more determined than ever to take the Hrithik – Tiger combo forward. Of course, it all depends on how the film fares,” divulges the source.
Well, if made, War will not be the first franchise from the stable of Yash Raj Films. The leading production house has earlier tasted huge success with the Dhoom franchise. The series has seen the release of three successful instalments to date. The audience is now waiting for the fourth instalment with bated breath.
Rumours are also rife that YRF is planning to turn Bunty Aur Babli (2005) into a franchise. Reportedly, the sequel to the Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukerji starrer is already underway and the lead cast has been locked. An official announcement confirming the same is awaited though.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.